Centreville Bank Charitable Foundation Awards $212,000 in Grants to 24 Organizations in Rhode Island and Connecticut
Investments support workforce opportunities, access to youth programs, and efforts to alleviate food insecurity.
“The Centreville Bank Charitable Foundation's mission is one of empowerment and solidarity,” said Paola Fernandez, Senior Vice President of Community Development at Centreville Bank. “These contributions strive to make a positive impact on the lives of those around us – especially young people. There’s a lot of programming here that illustrates our continued investment in opportunities that create pathways for young people to thrive. It reflects our ongoing commitment to respond to the communities we serve.”
Young Voices is one of the 18 Rhode Island non-profits receiving awards. Executive Director, Peter Chung, says the grant funding will enhance financial literacy offerings and provide career guidance to young people throughout the entire school year.
“Young Voices transforms urban Rhode Island youth into powerful advocates who have a voice in every aspect of their lives,” Chung said. “We know that low-income youth in Rhode Island may often lack meaningful interactions with caring mentors who look like them, come from the same communities, and have shared both the struggles and excitement of being a first-generation college student. Investments like the one provided by Centreville Bank, will provide youth with new opportunities to see their own aspirations reflected in the eyes of adults who have successfully navigated those same systems to achieve distinction in their chosen fields. We are thrilled to be recognized by Centreville Bank for the second year in a row.”
Northeast Opportunities for Wellness (NOW), INC is one of the six Connecticut non-profits receiving awards. The funds will be used to partner with local artists, studios, summer camps, preschools, and non-profit organizations to host a variety of programs that will enhance the well-being of children and youth in Northeastern Connecticut. The programs will serve an estimated 1,500 youth and provide a social and emotional outlet for them to express themselves, process emotions, build bonds with trustworthy adults, and foster new friendships.
“We are so thankful for the partnership that we have with Centreville Bank. Investing in at-risk youth is critical, and these expressive art programs will provide a space where youth can express themselves in a fun and safe environment while developing a toolbox of skills they will use as they navigate life. These programs are designed to instill a love for the arts that will carry into the academic year to improve youth coping and school attendance. Centreville Bank has been extremely supportive of NOW programs and initiatives. We are so honored to call Centreville Bank a friend and a partner,” said NOW Executive Director, Tayler Sazhin.
The Centreville Bank Charitable Foundation was established as a nonprofit charitable organization in 2008 by the Board of Trustees to further the philanthropic mission of Centreville Bank. The Foundation strives to support local community-based organizations tackling the most significant challenges and helping meet the needs of underserved populations throughout Connecticut and Rhode Island. Grants are considered quarterly focusing on the following priority areas: education success, economic security, and capacity building.
Rhode Island organizations receiving second quarter grants:
- Rhode Island Bankers Association: Funding will support BankForward, a community outreach initiative focused on engagement and inclusion efforts to increase workforce opportunities for low- and moderate-income communities.
- Student Diplomacy Corps: Funding supports the study abroad program for low-income and first-generation students in Pawtucket, Central Falls and Providence.
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center: Funds will support Early Learning and Out-of-School-Time Programs for low-income Newport County children
- Beautiful Day: Funding will be used to help pay stipends for refugee youth enrolled in the organization’s Refugee Youth Job Training Program.
- Habitat for Humanity for Rhode Island South County: Funds will be used to help build an office and training area in support of the Homeowner Services Program.
- Sojourner House: Funding will be used to support the organization’s Supportive Housing Program for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
- Young Voices: Funds will support the “Making Money Moves” program, a six-week summer program offering intensive work-based learning preparation.
- Foster Forward: Grant funding will be used to support the ASPIRE Program, combining financial education, financial planning support, and the “seeding” of a personal savings account to help youth achieve financial success.
- Community College of Rhode Island Foundation: funds will be used for the Student Emergency Relief Funding program, supporting students who may be experiencing hardships that could prevent them from continuing their education.
- Farm Fresh Rhode Island: Funding will support the Bonus Bucks program, an initiative that addresses food insecurity while supporting small farm businesses.
- Salve Regina University: Funds will go toward basic needs support for refugee students.
- Sharing Locker: Funds will provide support for basic needs and food distribution services.
- Thrive Behavioral Health: Funds will be used to support Youth and Family client therapy groups.
- NewportFILM: Funding will support “Documentary Unbound,” a community-based learning initiative helping bridge access gaps for young people seeking arts and culture opportunities, prioritizing and elevating historically excluded voices in Newport.
- Boys and Girls Club of Newport: Funds will support the Kids Clubhouse after school childcare program, providing educational success services, social-emotional development, family engagement, and more to low-income households.
- Providence Promise: Funding will provide aid to the Family and Youth Engagement programs, supporting equal opportunity education
- Wanderground L. Archive/Library: Grant funds will help support the organization’s strategic planning.
- McAuley Ministries: Grant will fund the organization’s “Lunch on Us” hot meal program, and assistance in the form of bus passes for McAuley House guests that need transportation to work, school, healthcare, and other important appointments.
Connecticut organizations receiving second quarter grants:
- Northeast Opportunities for Wellness, INC.: Support for the Summer Learning Art Expression Program, aimed at addressing the youth mental health crisis.
- The Salvation Army – Norwich: Funds will support the client choice food pantry.
- Safe Futures, Inc.: Funds will support the Katie Blair House, providing services for homeless women who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and trafficking, as well as for those recovering from substance misuse.
- Theatre of Northeastern CT: Funds will help provide technical support and the implementation of a new website, providing more effective means of communication and accessibility to patrons.
- Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp: Funds will support the Jim Logee Campership Fund, helping to provide economically challenged families the opportunity to send their children to summer camp
- Furniture Bank of CT: Funds will go towards the purchase of beds for individuals and families in financial need.
About Centreville Bank
Founded in 1828 and headquartered in West Warwick, Rhode Island, Centreville Bank is a full-service mutual bank with over $2 billion in assets and 21 locations throughout Rhode Island and eastern Connecticut. Centreville understands the unique financial needs of individuals, families and businesses and offers a wide range of personal banking and commercial banking products and services including checking accounts, savings accounts, CDs, money market accounts, mortgages, business loans and more. Centreville is committed to its employees and the communities it serves, always striving to help people make progress and achieve their financial goals. That is progress on purpose. Visit centrevillebank.com, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, or come into a branch or office to learn more.